7 Major Hiking Areas of Hocking Hills
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The Hocking Hills area has 7 major hiking spots! All of which are super unique! Read on to learn more about Hocking Hills Hiking!
About Hiking in Hocking Hills
Hocking Hills State Park is among the best-known areas in Ohio for its natural beauty, including cliffs, waterfalls, gorges, and rock formations. Stunning in any season of the year, Hocking Hills is a well-visited State Park.
There are seven major hiking trails here, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Old Man’s Cave, Whispering Cave, Conkle’s Hollow, Cantwell Cliffs, and Rock House. However, if you do want a quieter hike, there are many more lesser-known trails, like the Split Rocks Trail, for instance.
Here we are focusing on the seven major hiking areas of Hocking Hills State Park.
Map of Hiking Areas of Hocking Hills
The map shows the locations of the hiking areas of Hocking Hills, there is also a hidden layer with the locations of the parking lot for each trail. Click on the broken square icon in the top right corner to open the map and you can check the ‘Parking Lots’ layer on the map to reveal them.
Cindy’s Insider Ohio Tips!
I love hiking in Hocking Hills because there is a trail for everybody! Whether you are looking for a paved trail that is easy or a harder multi-mile hike, Hocking Hills has got you covered! My favorite hike is between Ash Cave and Cedar Falls.
Ash Cave- Cedar Falls
- Old Man’s Cave
Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com
Ash Cave
The Ash Cave trail is around half a mile long and for the average walker, it will take around 40 minutes to complete. Hikers are required to go one way and hikers who have to use wheelchairs can also go along this route. This is an asphalt trail through a lovely gorge with cliff walls. Halfway along the trail, there is a recess cave and a seasonal waterfall. After reaching this area, Hikers (not in wheelchairs) must continue along the one-way system and up a flight of steps to the rim trail. This trail leads back to the parking lot. This path is clearly marked with signs.
Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome on this trail. No wading or swimming in the waterfall or the creeks.
- Address: 27291 State Route 56, South Bloomingville, Ohio 43152
- Check out our article about Ash Cave!
Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls Trail is around ½ mile long. This is a strenuous walk with plenty of steps. Visitors need to be physically fit to take on this walk. It is a one-way trail system and it has a waterfall, bridges, and an interesting rock system. Halfway along the trail, there is a seasonal waterfall that is down some steps and along a dirt track. When hikers get to this area, they can continue along the one-way system through the rock formations and up a series of stairs. This hike has a moderate incline, steps, and steeper terrain.
Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome on this trail. No wading or swimming in the waterfall.
- Address: 21724 Ohio 374 Scenic, Logan, Ohio 43138
- Check out our article about Cedar Falls!
Old Man’s Cave
Old Man’s Cave is a one-way loop trail that is approximately 1 to 1½ miles long. This trail begins at the kiosk at Upper Falls.
- Address: State Route 664, Logan Ohio 43138
- Check out our article about Old Man’s Cave!
Whispering Cave
Whispering Cave trail comprises a five-mile loop hike. It has a swinging bridge and a waterfall. There are two places where you get onto the trail.
- 1 – You can start at the Visitor Center. There are some steps at the Center near the kiosk. Halfway to Cedar Falls, you can follow the purple Trail which is marked by a sign.
- 2 – You can also start at Upper Falls near the kiosk. Follow the blue trail markers and signs 1½ miles to the Whispering Cave. It will then loop one-way to Whispering Cave and then back to the Visitor Center.
This is a strenuous hike. It’s not recommended for people who are not physically fit or have health issues. The trail involves a steep incline, cliff edges, and steeper terrain. Not suitable for young children or pets. No wading or swimming in the waterfall or creeks.
Visitors should park at Old Man’s Cave. It is necessary to hike the entire one-way 5-mile loop to access the Whispering Cave Trail and return to the parking lot.
- Address: State Route 664, Logan Ohio 43138
- Conkle’s Hollow
- Cantwell Cliffs
- Rock House
Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com
Conkle’s Hollow
2 trails comprise the Conkle’s Hollow Trail, the Upper Trail, and the Lower Trail.
- Lower Trail is a ¾ mile-long, wheelchair-accessible trail. It takes about 1 hour to hike the trail.
- Upper trail is a one-way trail that is 2 miles long. This is a strenuous hike. It’s not recommended for people who are not physically fit or have health issues. Involves a steep incline, cliff edges, and steeper terrain. Also, it is not suitable for young children or pets.
It’s vital that Hikers stay on the marked trail. No wading or swimming in the waterfall or creeks.
- Address: 24858 Big Pine Road, Rockbridge, Ohio 43149
- Check out our article about Conkle’s Hollow!
Cantwell Cliffs
Cantwell Cliffs Trail is the most rugged path in the park. It is a remote one-way in-and-out loop. There are over two miles of trail with two loops, with each loop being a mile long. It takes between 60 and 80 minutes to complete this hike.
Hikers must stay on the marked trail. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. No wading or swimming in the waterfall or creeks.
- Address: OH-374, Rockbridge, Ohio 43149
- Check out our article about Cantwell Cliffs!
Rock House
Rock House is unique within the Hocking Hills Region. It is the only true cave in the park. It has a tunnel-like corridor and it is up a 15-foot cliff. This House of Rock has a 25-foot ceiling, the main corridor is 200 feet long and it is around 20-30 feet wide.
Rock House Loop Trail is around a mile long. Hikers can enter from either the upper or the lower parking lots. Depending on your desired level of walking, you may want to check both parking lots beforehand. PRO TIP: If you park at the first lot, you walk down on that trail, and it is where the trail comes out.
- Address: 19852 OH-664 S Logan, Ohio 43138
- Check out our article about Rock House!
Let’s Go Hiking in Hocking Hills!
Let’s go and have some fun hiking in Hocking Hills! Have you been hiking in Hocking Hills? We would love to hear your favorite place to hike!
If you are adventurous and active, you might also enjoy Hocking Hills Kayaking, Canoeing in Ohio, Ziplining in Ohio, and River Tubing in Ohio.
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